Article: Cyproheptadine

Cyproheptadine
Systematic (IUPAC) name
4-(5 H-dibenzo [a,d]cyclohepten-5-ylidene)- 1 -methylpiperidine hydrochloride
Identifiers
CAS number	129-03-3
ATC code	R06AX02
PubChem	2913
DrugBank	APRD00033
Chemical data
Formula	C21H21N
Mol. weight	287.398 g/mol
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	?
Protein binding	96 to 99%
Metabolism	Hepatic/Renal
Half life	1-4 hours
Excretion	Fecal/Renal
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	B (USA)
Legal status
Routes	?

Periactin® (cyproheptadine hydrochloride) is an antihistaminic and antiserotonergic agent. It acts as a 5-HT2 receptor antagonist and also blocks calcium channels. It is used in the treatment of allergies and is also used to stimulate appetite in underweight people (e.g. anorexia nervosa), however it also causes sedation. Sometimes it may be used to combat SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction, but is used cautiously in this manner due to the fact that it may reverse the effects of the SSRI. Cyproheptadine is also used, though rarely, as a prophylactic drug for migraine.